Student Awards, Honors and Scholarships
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Honors Day

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies held its Ninth Annual Honors Day Ceremony at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel on April 14, 2005, to recognize the academic excellence and service achievements of its students.

The following students were recognized this year:

Scholarships and fellowships:

Mercy Mvundura (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Jack Blicksilver Scholarship in Economics. Established in honor of Dr. Jack Blicksilver, late professor of economics emeritus, this scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate or undergraduate student who excels in economics.

D. Djesika Amendah (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Carole Keels Scholarship in Economics, established in honor of the late Carole Y. Keels, a Georgia State alumna. This scholarship recognizes a student with significant career experience who is pursuing a degree in economics. At the age of 38, Dr. Keels returned to college to complete both a master's and Ph.D. degree in economics at Georgia State.

Edward B. Sennoga (Ph.D. in Economics) received the George Malanos Scholarship in Economics, which is given in honor of Dr. George Malanos, late professor of economics and first chair of the department, to the Ph.D. student selected by the faculty as best exemplifying a commitment to the exchange of ideas and the creation of a community of scholars.

Robert Salvino (Ph.D. in Economics) received the E.D. (Jack) Dunn Fellowship, established to honor the late Banking Commissioner E.D. Dunn, a Georgia State alumnus. This fellowship is awarded annually to a deserving graduate student in the Andrew Young School with academic and research interest in public finance, financial regulatory policy impact on national, regional and local economics, or public management.

Stacy J. Lambert (M.P.A.) received the Governor Joe Frank Harris Award, which is given annually to a student in the school based on academic merit. The scholarship honors Georgia’s former governor, whose administration was noted for improvements in education. Governor Harris has also served as a Distinguished Executive Fellow in the Andrew Young School.

Kwaw S. Andam (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy), D. Djesika Amendah (Ph.D. in Economics), Grace L. Chikoto (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy) and Christine E. Moloi (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Carolyn McClain Young Leadership Fund Award. The award was established to provide training opportunities for government officials, junior executives in national finance ministries, and for young people who may be the leaders of tomorrow in countries with emerging economies, especially in Africa and the Caribbean. Recipients of leadership fund awards are chosen by a committee appointed by the Dean.

Robynn J. Cox (Ph.D. in Economics) and Amanda L. Wilsker (Ph.D. in Public Policy) received the Andrew Young Fellowship. Established in honor of Ambassador Andrew Young through the generosity of many supporters, two fellowships are awarded annually to outstanding students pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics or Public Policy. Each fellowship provides support for a period of three years of doctoral study.

Daniel T. Hall (Ph.D. in Economics) and C. Kevin Fortner (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy) received the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Dean's Fellowship. Established through the generosity of the Coca-Cola Foundation in honor of Ambassador Andrew Young, the Dean's Fellowship is awarded annually to an outstanding student or students pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics or Public Policy. Each fellowship provides support for a period of three years of doctoral study.

Christina E. Lennon (M.S.-UPS) received the Amanda G. Hyatt Fellowship. The award was established in honor of the late Amanda Hyatt and her legacy of commitment to public service and education. This award recognizes a graduate student in Urban Policy Studies who has demonstrated leadership and a proven commitment to compassionate public service.

Rosa Jupiter (M.S.-UPS) received the Dan Sweat Award. Established to honor the late Dan E. Sweat, a Georgia State alumnus and long time Atlanta civic leader, this assistantship is awarded annually to one or more deserving graduate students with career interests in public service.

Awards in Economics:

J. Jason Boyeskie, Jeremiah R. Handschuh, Binh D. Le and Huubinh B. Le received the Economics Award, presented to the undergraduate students who achieve the highest grade point average in economics courses above the 2000 level.

Courtney A. Sartin (B.A. in Economics) received the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award, which is presented to the outstanding graduating senior majoring in economics, selected by a committee of the faculty in the department.

Huubinh B. Le (B.A. in Economics) received the Excellence in Microeconomics Award. The award is given by the faculty to the best economics major in Intermediate Microeconomics during the previous calendar year. The student earning this award has shown a deep interest in the subject, demonstrated a thorough understanding of the material and its applications, and attained a high level of academic achievement in the course.

Michael O. Arjona and Sarah A. Jacobson (M.A. in Economics) received the Master of Arts in Economics Award, which is given annually in recognition of outstanding academic achievement to the student with the highest grade point average in the Master of Arts in Economics program.

Angelino C. Viceisza (Ph.D. in Economics) received the SRI Analytics Award. The award, established by Dr. Harold Ball, a Ph.D. in Economics alumnus, is given annually to recognize distinguished performance in quantitative economics by a graduate student.

Paul Kagundu (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Theodore C. Boyden Excellence in Teaching Economics Award, which is given annually to the graduate student in economics who best displays excellence in teaching economics and in improving economic understanding, primarily in the Economics 2105 and 2106 courses.

Awards in Public Administration and Urban Studies:

Joshua M. Weeks (B.S.-UPS) received the United Airlines-Eddie Carlson Award in Aviation Administration, which is presented to the Aviation and Transportation student who has the highest grade point average for the calendar year.

Christopher A. Robertson (B.S.-UPS) and Christina E. Lennon (M.S.-UPS) received the William R. Gable Award. Given in honor of the Dean of the College of Urban Life from 1973 to 1975, this award is presented to an undergraduate student and a graduate student or students majoring in urban policy studies who have demonstrated high academic standing and professional promise.

Karen F. DeVivo (M.S.-UPS) received the Best Term Paper Award. Presented annually to an undergraduate or graduate student in the Public Administration and Urban Studies program, awardees are selected by a faculty committee after reviews of term papers submitted by students or recommended by professors. The topic of Ms. DeVivo's paper was "The Effects of Recent Refugee Resettlement Policy Changes on Three Small American Communities."

Sonali S. Ballal, Madden E. Degarmo, Barbara M. Dorio, Rachel A. Ferencik, Sarah J. Fonder, Charles B. Hess, Darlene S. Joseph, Bonnie L. Naugle, Robert D. Olson, Michael F. Permenter, Monica S. Radcliffe, Shannon L. Singleton, Nikki J. Tucker and Chivonne J. West (M.P.A.) received the Public Administration Academic Achievement Award, which is presented to the student or students who have the highest grade point average for the calendar year in the Master of Public Administration program.

Thomas F. Cooley (M.P.A./J.D.) received the Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor Academic Achievement Award, which is presented to the student who has the highest grade point average for the academic year in the joint M.P.A./J.D. program.

Chidima E. Anusiem, Cheryl L. Barfield, Beannetta K. Black, Maryjane B. Casto, Jill A. Curtis, Amy L. Dott and Unisha N. Marshall (B.S.-HRP) received the Award for Excellence in Academic Achievement in the Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Policy and Development, which is awarded to students who have consistently demonstrated superior academic performance in the B.S.-HRP program.

Molly M. Carpenter, Allison L. Goehring, Marian C. Green, Matthew L. Haynes and M. Helene Sabel (M.S.-HRD) received the Award for Distinguished Performance in the M.S. in Human Resource Development Program, awarded to students who have consistently demonstrated superior academic performance and made significant contributions to the learning outcomes of fellow students in the Human Resource Development program.

Stephanie L. Hyde, Sonya E. Korzick and Cynthia A. Wood (M.S.-HRD) received the Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Application of Human Resource Development in the Workplace. This award goes to the student or students who have demonstrated consistently superior academic performance in the M.S. in Human Resource Development program, and have applied this learning to make a significant contribution to the development of human resources in the field.

D. Keith Burns (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy) received the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes a graduate student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has performed exceptionally well in the classroom as a graduate teaching assistant.

Amy S. DeGroff and Odile Ferroussier-Davis (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy) received the Outstanding Doctoral Student in Public Policy Award. This award is given by the faculty to the joint Ph.D. in Public Policy student or students who best exemplify academic excellence and an ongoing commitment to scholarship in the field of public policy.

Other 2005 recognitions:

Jared D. Adams, Adam J. Buffolino, Michael A. Collins, Huubinh B. Le, Brandon R. Oglenski, Andrew J. Rast, Douglas A. Shanahan and Matthew D. Williamson received the Faculty Scholarship Award, awarded for outstanding academic achievement to students who maintain a 4.0 grade point average while earning a prescribed number of credit hours at Georgia State.

David G. Boyd, Michael A. Collins, Zackary B. Hawley, Mari B. McCoy, Katie L. Miller, Marcella A. Motta, Karen R. Payne, Sarah E. Pilkington, Shayla D. Redd, Christopher A. Robertson, Douglas A. Shanahan, James C. Sorbet, Sterling C. Thomas, Kim J. Vanderlinden and Brandon L. White received the Dean's Scholarship Key, awarded for outstanding academic achievement at Georgia State. The award is determined by either a 4.0 grade point average for 30 hours in residence, a 3.8 for 60 hours, a 3.65 for 90 hours, or a 3.5 grade point average for 120 hours in residence.

Service Awards are given to recognize special service to the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and Georgia State University. Tourgee D. Simpson was honored for service as an AYSPS Senator in the Student Government Association; Daniel S. Wick was honored for service as President of the Georgia State Chapter of Alpha Eta Rho national aviation fraternity; Jeremiah R. Handschuh was honored for service as President of the Georgia State Economics Club; Eric M. Sarpong was honored for service as President of the AYSPS Graduate Student Association; Josue Heredia, John M. Lee, and Geniese N. Mixon were honored for service as senators in the Student Government Association; Dominique R. Huff was honored for service as associate editor of The Signal; Casey M. Cochran, for service as columnist for The Signal; and Joseph E. Winter was honored for service as Director of Rampway.

AYSPS International Scholars. This year, the Andrew Young School was pleased to host international scholars supported by the Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support Act Fellowship Program of American Councils for International Education; the Leadership Fellows for Public Service Program of the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX); the Fulbright program of the Institute of International Education (IIE); the LASPAU: Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas; and the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Program. In 2005, the AYSPS had more sponsored students than any other college at the university. The honorees included: Nirmala Anak Agung Istri, D. Djesika Amendah, Nataliya V. Bayda, Rochelle P. Clarke, Poulland Doung, Tamar Kakulia, Jeyhun Karamov, Anika I. Keens-Douglas, Donald M. McCartney, Isaac Michel, Mercy Mvundura, Ekaterina B. Orshanskaya, Angye Rincon Castillos, Nizameddin T. Rzayev, Leonid V. Shabad and Alvaro J. Solares Munoz.

Georgia State Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon inductees: J. Jason Boyeskie, Casey M. Cochran, Jonathan T. Edwards, Cherrie T. Felder, Joshua D. Fry, Jeremiah R. Handschuh, Brian Johnson, Robert L. McGraw, Mary A. Medlin, Marcella A. Motta, Ankur A. Patel, Cuong Phu Pham, Courtney A. Sartin, Nicholas J. Wells and David R. Willingham. ODE is the national honor society for students of economics. Selection is based on academic merit and requires a minimum number of economics credit hours.

Pi Alpha Alpha inductees: James T. Beck, Joshua A. Bornstein, Donna S. Brazzell, Rochelle P. Clarke, Thomas F. Cooley, Joy L. Hinkle, John M. Lee, Christopher K. Masak, Donald M. McCartney, Suezette Y. Robotham, Gregory D. Simkiss, Kimberly S. Walker and Thatcher R. Young. PAA is the national honor society for the field of public affairs and public administration. Membership recognizes those students with the highest performance levels in academic programs preparing them for public service careers.